Buffalo Bills News - March 13, 2002

Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremoney moved [9:17 PM] reports:
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony for Jim Kelly among others, traditionally conducted on the front steps of the Hall of Fame, will be held this year at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Field at Fawcett Stadium.

Price is right for Bills [9:10 PM]WGRZ-TV reports:
'This could mean Price and Marques Sullivan will battle for the starting left tackle spot, although several factors could change that. Should the Bills draft a tackle high in the first or second round in next month's NFL draft, that player would almost certainly go into camp as the starter.'

Bills sign Marcus Price [4:37 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'In all, Price has seen action in 31 games in his career, including 12 with the Saints last season.'

Bills sign Marcus Price [4:36 PM]AP reports:
'His contract with Buffalo is for $1.8 million over three years and includes a $150,000 signing bonus.'

Bills seek to add depth at quarterback [5:15 AM]D and C reports:
'Visiting with the coaching staff Tuesday was unrestricted free agent Jonathan Quinn, a backup with Jacksonville the past four years. Due in today is Jeff Blake, a former Pro Bowl performer with Cincinnati who was released by New Orleans in a salary cap move.'

Texans impress Ayanbadejo [5:14 AM]Houston Chronicle reports:
'Because Brown, who will visit Buffalo today, is a restricted free agent, the Steelers have the right to match any offer he receives. If the Steelers choose not to match an offer, the team signing Brown must give Pittsburgh a seventh-round draft pick as compensation.'

Teams Begin Dealing For Dunn [5:13 AM]Tampa Tribune reports:
'In other Bucs free-agent news, the Bills and Jets have expressed interest in talking to Bucs free-agent punter Mark Royals, according to Royals' agent. A visit has not been arranged with either team yet, primarily because Royals leaves Thursday for Hawaii, where he will represent the Bucs at the NFL Players Association's meeting of player representatives.'

Steelers meet with more free agents [5:11 AM]Pittsburgh Tribune Review reports:
'In Houston, Holmes and Steelers kicker Kris Brown likewise visited and left without a deal, with Brown headed to Buffalo for another test of his restricted free agency.'

Jaguars notebook [5:10 AM]Florida Times Union reports:
'Donahue also said the Bills will bring in kicker Mike Hollis for a look later this week.'

Billy Buffalo to join NFL mascots in Annual Convention [7:18 PM]Press Release reports:
@ The mascots are meeting to discuss critical issues such as rallying the crowd at games and best tips for removing pop stains from costumes. The NFL Team Mascots Convention will be held in New York with the hopes of raising spirits and promoting tourism in New Your City.

"You can only applaud the commitment Raven Moon Entertainment has made to children. Through Raven Moon's 'Mr. Bicycle Man' Safety PSA, Anchor House can send a positive message out to children throughout the country, one which I am proud to stand behind," commented Darryl Talley.

Some thoughts on Cowart, Sabres, Bonnies-Syracuse [1:29 PM]Olean Times Herald reports:
'The reality is this. London Fletcher, at 27 (as of May 19), is the same age as the man he replaced and though he isn't a healthy Sam Cowart, he's an awfully good player. Fletcher is squat - 5-10, 240 - but a sideline-to-sideline defender who has a non-stop motor and a vocal approach to leadership as compared to Cowart, a lockeroom leader who did it by example.'

Bills New Tight End Ready for Block Party [9:30 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'Moore had an offer to be the backup tight end to Mark Bruener in Pittsburgh. He also had an offer to stay in Tampa. But he took the Bills' offer because it should provide more playing time.'

Moore Calls In [7:22 AM]Buffalobills.com reports:
'"Alex and I were always on the same page back in our college days, I always knew what he was thinking. Both of those guys came out to dinner with me when I was up there and it was good to see them. I actually helped recruit Ruben to the University of Pittsburgh so we go back a ways."'

Bills sign Bucs' Moore [5:16 AM]D and C reports:
'Last year he caught a career-high 35 passes and led the Bucs with five TD receptions. Moore, who will turn 33 in November, is a former University of Pittsburgh teammate of QB Alex Van Pelt and offensive guard Ruben Brown, and those players helped convince Moore to choose Buffalo.'

Bucs Lose Moore To Buffalo [5:15 AM]Tampa Tribune reports:
'"The Bills' offensive coordinator [Kevin Gilbride] is very big on using two tight ends, and that's how I got my start here in Tampa, so either way I'm going to be able to contribute," Moore said. "That's the big reason I decided to make the move. Believe me, I gave Tampa an opportunity to get something done, and I had a couple of conversations with [Coach] Jon Gruden and he wanted me to stay. We just couldn't come to terms."'

Cold business [5:14 AM]St. Petersburg Times reports:
'"I had a couple of conversations with (Gruden) and he wanted to keep me," said Moore, who says he believes he can play for three more seasons. "We discussed the ways he was going to use me in his offense, different things. But the bottom line is, it comes down to the numbers. When push comes to shove, the Bucs weren't willing to go where Pittsburgh and Buffalo wanted to go."'

Marshall Faulk on Loudon Fletcher [12:07 AM]controversymag.com reports:
@ Who is the most underrated player in the league?
"I'm not just saying this because he's on my team, but London Fletcher. People don't really understand what he means to the team and to our defense and how much of a force he's been. Not just this year, but over the past three years.

March 11, 2002

Bills sign free agent TE Dave Moore [3:58 PM]Sportsticker reports:
'It is believed that new Bucs coach Jon Gruden wanted to retain Moore, but the 32-year-old instead decided to head north where he will join two former teammates at the University of Pittsburgh -- quarterback Alex Van Pelt and guard Ruben Brown.'

Ex-Buc tight end signs three-year deal with Bills [2:11 PM]ESPN reports:
'The contract will be for three years and is worth $3.8 million. The addition of Moore could result in the release Riemersma, a solid five-year veteran whose statistics rank among the top five in the league at his position. The Bills last week requested that Riemersma accept a salary reduction of about $1.25 million from his scheduled 2002 compensation of $2.525. Riemersma declined the pay cut.'

Bills sign Moore [1:59 PM]AP reports:
'Tight end Dave Moore, who played nine seasons for Tampa Bay, was signed Monday by the Buffalo Bills.'

Bills sign Dave Moore [12:01 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
The Bills today announced that the team has agreed to terms with tight end Dave Moore, an unrestricted free agent.

Addition of Rob Johnson makes for crowd at QB [11:06 AM]The Sporting News reports:
'Coach Jon Gruden continues to say that Brad Johnson is his starter, but the signing of Rob Johnson and the high praise Gruden continues to give Shaun King are clear examples that Gruden wants a collection of more mobile athletes at this position. One of three players with starting NFL experience at the spot, Rob Johnson figures to make the competition at QB quite fierce. He doesn't possess a quick release but he has a very strong arm and is usually accurate. He is quick to leave the pocket and make a run for it, but Gruden seems to admire that kind of ability. Though he has been in the league awhile and has had some success, Rob Johnson still lacks confidence at times. A summer working with Gruden could change that. The bottom line with Rob Johnson is this: for around $1 million, the team further improved its depth at the most vital spot on the roster. Like Ryan Leaf a year ago, Rob Johnson was a bargain the team couldn't pass on. . . .'

Holmes, Browns will meet today [9:19 AM]Pittsburgh Post Gazette reports:
'On another matter, the Steelers are no longer in the running for tight end Dave Moore, who will sign a contract with the Buffalo Bills today. Moore, who played at Pitt and is a free agent from Tampa Bay, visited the Steelers Friday and said he preferred to play here. However, the Bills made him a better offer and he will take it.'